Remote controlled shooting gallery



y 27, 1952 J. A. MCKENZIE 2,598,008

REMOTE CONTROLLED SHOOTING GALLERY Filed Aug. 14, 1950 4 SheetsSheet 1 Joseph A. McKenz/b INVENTOR.

y 27, 1952 J. A. MCKENZIE 2,598,008

REMOTE CONTROLLED SHOOTING GALLERY Filed Aug. 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I W WA n 22 2+4 r 49 I A A A 204 200 Joseph A. McKenzie INVENTOR.

BY Q4. undying; EM

May 27, 1952 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 Fig. 5

J. A. M KENZIE 2,598,008

CONTROLLED SHOOTING GALLERY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. /4

BULLE Y SCORE CARD TARGET Joseph A. McKenz/b INVENTOR.

Auormys Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROLLED SHOOTING GALLERY The present invention relates to improvements in shooting galleries, and more particularly to the type of shooting gallery where means are provided for automatically supplying targets to firing position and removing the targets from the position to a conveyor means whereby the targets may be conveyed to a point outside the firing line.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel selectively actuatable means whereby individual targets may be fed at preselected times to a firing position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement whereby the targets,

may be positioned on a carrier means and are moved by gravity from a first position for receiving the targets and to a second position for holding the same in target-firing position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel target holder bin whereby a plurality of targets may be held for feeding one at a time to the carrier means.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of means for providing synchronizing movement between the target feed mechanism and the target carrying mechanism.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for a pair of target units whereby the gallery may be easily prefabricated, shipped and erected, and which gallery is adapted for use in various sized buildings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control means whereby targets may be interchanged with new targets without leaving the firing line.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control means whereby a pair of targets may be simultaneously interchanged for new targets for competitive firing.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description to follow. In the description as well as in the claims, parts are at times identified by specific names for convenience, but such nomenclature is intended to be as generic in its application to analogous parts as the prior art will permit. My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims.

The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompany ing drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view showing the assembly of a pair of target units and the conveyor mechanism; a

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 33 of Figure 1; V

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail view showing a section of the endless link-type carrier chain with one of the stop pins projecting therefrom;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the tripper bar employed with the present invention;

Figure 7 is a detail view of the end of the tripper bar showing the tripper dog pivotally mounted thereon;

Figure 8 is a view of one form of target holder;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the target.

holder of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an exploded view of a second form of target holder;

Figure 11 is a view of the holder of Figure 10 in assembled relation;

Figure 12 is a perspective detail view of one of the rings employed in conjunction with the holder of Figure 10;

Figure 13 shows a form of target employed with the shooting gallery of the present invention; and

Figure 14 is a view disclosing the Bulley score card by means of which the score obtained on the targets of Figure 13 may be tabulated.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral I0 designates generally the target rack means, the numeral I2 designates generally the target feed mechanism, the numeral l4 designates generally a target and target holder means, the numeral l6 designates generally the solenoid actuating means whereby the target feed mechanism l2 may be actuated, the numeral I8 designates generally the carrier means, the nu-' meral 20 designates generally the conveyor means by which the targets may be conveyed from the line of fire to an outside position and the numeral 22 designates a form of score card.

The means for supporting the target feeding and carrying mechanism includes a pair of end standards 24, a center standard 26, and cross-bars 28. The cross-bars 28 are secured at their ends to the standard 24 to provide a rigid rectangular frame, with the center standard 26 serving as rigidifying means.

The target rack means I0 includes a pair of angulated straps 39 which are disposed in inclined position with respect to the horizontal and have their lower ends secured to the upstanding pairs of bars 34' by. means of the screws 32. In the form shown in Figure 1, I have provided two pair of upstanding bars 34 whereby a pair of target racks [0 may bemou'nted in the supporting framework. The standard 24 and upper cross-bar 28 have projecting forwardly therefrom a pair of support struts 36. Disposed below the supporting struts 36 isa protective steel sheeting 38 which is in parallel relation to the angulated struts 30 and has its lower end secured to the standards 24 and its upper endsupported by the bars 40 which are secured at their .upper ends to thesupporting struts 36. A target supply,

may be provided with individual targets 50 having their upper edge portions folded over as at 52, whereby the targets 50 may be inserted into the slots 48 for retention thereby. The open end'of the tubular element 46 and slot'48 is closed by means of the plug 54. It will readily be seen that a plurality of target holders and targets I4 may be inserted through the door 42 and onto the angulated straps 30.

The target feedingmeans I2, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4, includes a-target feed sprocket B which is mounted for rotation on the shaft 58, which is-in turnrotatably disposed within the bearing 60 in each of the upstanding bars 34. Z

The sprocket 56 is provided with a boss 62 with a pin 64 extending therethrough whereby the sprocket may be securely positioned on the shaft 58. Secured to one side of the target feed sprocket 56 is a dog gear 56 which is mounted for rotation with the shaft 58. It willbe seenthat as the dog gear 63 is rotated, the notches 68of the sprocket 56 will engage the individual target holders and targets I4 for movement along the angulated straps 30.

The means whereby the doggear 66 may be selectively actuated is best shown in Figure 4 and-includes a solenoid 1B of conventional form having electrical conductors 12 which are in turn connected to a switch at the firing line for actuation thereby. The solenoid I0 is mounted within a casing I4 which is supported by means of the angulated member I6 which is secured by screws I8 to one of the supporting bars 34. The-supporting bars 34 upon which the solenoids III are l mounted are provided with openings 89 therethrough. Levers 82 are pivotally mounted on pins 84 in the supporting bars 34 and have one end connected to theplunger B6- of the solenoid III by means of the adjustable'connector 88. The other end of the lever 82 isccnnected to the bifurcations 90 of the tripper bar92, which is best shown in Figure 6. The tripper bar 92 is reciprocably mounted on the plate 94 which is provided with'guide elements .96 and which is secured to the standard 34 by means'ofscrewstt. The d a 'pin I06 in the aperture I02. The tripper dog I04 is provided with a recess I08 which is adapted to receive the end of the tripper bar 92 having the aperture I 02 and in; which is mounted an angulated strap spring III! whereby the tripper dog I I34 is held in the position shown in Figure '7. When the solenoid III is actuated, the plunger 86 will move to the left, in Figure 4, pivoting the 1ever82 so that'the tripper bar 92 moves to theright',.and as seen'inFigure3; the-tripper dog I04 having a pointed portion I I2 which is adapted to engagea tooth of the dog gear 65 for effecting rotation thereof in conjunction with the sprocket 56;

A resilient means II4 is attached at one end to the plate 94 at H6 and has its other end attached'to the tripper bar 92 by means of the lateralextension H8 secured thereto for nor-'- mally urging the'tri'ppe'r bar 92 to" disengaged position.

The carrier means for the target holders and targets includes a pair of sprockets I which are mounted one above the other within the bearings I22 which are in turn seated within the recesses I24 of the bracket I26, the brackets I26 being secured by means of lugs I28 to the standards 34. As seen in Figure 1, there are two sets of sprockets I20, secured to the two sets of standards 34, whereby endless link type chain carriers I30 may be freely rotatably carried by each pairof'sprockets I29. The chain carrier I39, shown in detail in Figure 5, is provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting pins 32 which act as stops when engaged with the stop projection III!) on the tripper bar 92. As seenin Figure 3, the carrier chain I34 is also. provided with a plurality of target holding elements I34" which are formed with arcuated' portions ISBfdf receiving the tubular target holders 46 and an} arcuated portion I33 which is pivotally mounted to the'chain I33, as at I44. Second arcuatedele ments I42 are pivotally mountedto the'chain I34 at I44 and to the intermediate portion 1 of the target carrier element I34. as at I46;

The target rack means It] is provided with a stop means which may include either one or a pair of pivotally mounted stop members I 48 which are pivotally mounted within the bifurcations I59 integrally formed on the angulatedstraps 3B of" the target rack. A resilient means I52 has an end portion I54 engaging a lower'edge ofthe' step member I48, has an intermediateportion wound around the pin I56, upon which the stop member I48 is mounted, and has an end portion-I54 which bears against the angulated portion 3| of the angulated strap 34. The stop member I48 is provided with an upwardly extending projection I55 which is adapted to stop the target holders as they are released from the sprocket 56; It should be here noted that the stop-members I48 are in vertical alignment with the carrierele ments I34 of the carrier means I8; It-will there fore be readily seen that when the solenoid isreleasing a holder retained thereby and the hold-' er will drop into the arcuated portion I36 of the element I34. The chain carrier I39 will then move downwardly by force of gravity until an: other pin I32 engages the stop projection I00 when it is returned to its normal position with the solenoid deactuated;

Theconveyor means 20 is supported by means-'- of the framework I58 which includes outer upstanding bars I62 which are secured in-spaced re lation to the standards 24 by means of the crossbars I64. A plurality of rollers I66 are rotatably supported at one end by means of the straps IIO which are secured to the guide walls-and protecting plates I72 which extend longitudinally [of the conveyor means. The other'ends of the roll ers I66 are supported by means. of the long'i tudinally extending member I'I4 which is provided at its upper edge with the protective guideplate I76. A motor stand H8 is mounted at one end,

of the frame I and an electric motor ISO is se-' curelyv positioned thereon. A sheave I82 is rotatably disposed between a pair ofplaltesQ-IM secured to the end standard 24,and a belt I86 op eratively connects the sheave I82 '60" the electric motor I80. An idler roller I88 i mounted in the framework I60 by means of the projecting struts I90, and an endless belt I92 is passed over the rollers I66 and idler I88, whereby the targets dropping from the elements I34 may be conveyed to a position outside of the firing line. As seen in Figure 2, a diverting plate I93 may be supported between the standards 34 for deflecting the targets which are dropped from the carrier means onto the conveyor 20.

A second form of target holder is shown in Figure and includes a pair of complementary target holding elements I94 and I99. The element I94 is provided with a plurality of recesses I98 and the element I96 is provided with a plurality of projecting pins 209 and a recessed portion 204 for receiving the upper edge portion of a target. The end portions of the element I94 and I96 are of reduced cross section and are adapted to receive the rings 206 when the elements I94 and I96 are in clamped relation on a target. It will readily be seen that a target may be positioned within the recess 294 with the pins extending therethrough and the elements I 94 held to the element I96 by means of the rings 206.

An examination of Figure 13 will disclose the form of target to be employed with the present invention. With this form, the competitor fires the first shot at the top bull of the target, and if a 10 is scored, he gains the right to fire the two remaining shots of the three allowed at the top 'bull. If the first shot scores a number which is less than ten, the competitor is compelled to fire a second shot at the bottom bull in an attempt to score a number that will give him a total of ten or more for the two shots. If the'first two shots total ten or more, he regains the right to fire the third shot at the top bull.

In the bulley score card, as shown in Figure 14, the blocks 209 are for recording the scores of the three shots allotted for each of the ten numbered columns. Block 2I0 is for recording the total of the three shots in each of the ten numbered columns. Block 2 I2 is for recording the total of the last column fired and the totals of all previously fired columns. The competitor gains the right to fire an additional three shots to be scored in the last column on the score card if he scores all three tens in column ten only. The competitors names appear in the blocks 2 I 4.

It should be understood that other forms of targets and score cards may be employed equally well with the structure of my invention and I do not wish to be limited thereby.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A target feed mechanism comprising a target rack means, a plurality of target holders in said rackrmeans and holding a plurality of individual targets, selectively actuatable means for feeding one of said target holders from said rack to a second position, stop means at said second position on said rack for retaining said holders in said second position, an endless target carrier means, means supporting said endless carrier means for free movement, said endless carrier means being engageable with said stop means for disengaging said holders from said second position and being adapted to receive said holders to holdthe targets in firing position. j 4

invention, what is 2. A target feed mechanism comprising a target rack means, a plurality of target holders in said rack means and holding a plurality of individual targets, selectively actuatable means for feeding one of said target holders from said rack to a second position, stop means at said second position on said rack for retainingsaid hold-' ers in said second position, an endless target carrier means, means supporting said endless carrier means for free movement, said endless carrier means being engageable with said stop means for disengaging said holders from said second position and being adapted to receive said holders to hold the targets in firing position, said carrier means including a plurality of carrier elements and a plurality of carrier pins, said pins being adapted to engage said selectively actuatable means for intermittently stopping said carrier means in preselected positions.

3. A target feed mechanism comprising a target rack means, a plurality of target holders in said rack means and holding a plurality of in,-,

dividual targets, selectively actuatable means for feeding one of said target holders from said rack to a second position, stop means at said second position on said rack for retaining said holders in said second position, an endless target carrier means, means supporting said endless carrier means for free movement, said endless carrier means being engageable with said stop means for disengaging said holders from said second position and being adapted to receive said holders to hold the targets in firing position, and conveyor means disposed with a portion beneath said firing position for receiving a target after firing whereby the target may be conveyed to a point without the firing line.

4. A target feed mechanism comprising a target rack means, a plurality of target holders in said rack means and holding a plurality of individual targets, selectively actuatable means for feeding one of said target holders from said rack to a second position, stop means at said second position on said rack for retaining said holders in said second position, an endless target carrier means, means supporting said endless carrier means for free movement, said endless carrier means being engageable with said stop means for disengaging said holders from said second position and being adapted to receive said holders to hold the targets in firing position, said target rack means including a plurality of angulated straps supported by a stand means and in inclined position, the ends of said target holders being slidably supported by said straps.

5. A target feed mechanism comprising a target rack means, a plurality of target holders in said rack means and holding a plurality of individual targets, selectively actuatable means for feeding one of said target holders from said rack to a second position, stop means at said second position on said rack for retaining said holders in said second position, an endless target carrier'j means, means supporting said endless carrier means for free movement, said endless carrier means being engageable with said stop means for disengaging said holders from said second position and being adapted to receive said holders to hold the targets in firing position, said selectively actuatable means including a target feed sprocket, the notches on the periphery of said sprocket adapted to engage the end of a target holder for moving the same.

' 6. A target feed mechanism comprising a targetrack means, aplurality oitarget holders in 

